15 Riverside Restaurants That Will Blow The Taste Buds Out Of Your Mouth

1.    Ask And You Shall Receive At Giuliano’s Trattoria

Homemade meatballs, sausages, and pastas. What more could you ask for from an Italian restaurant? Oh yeah, VSG fries – those are French fries layered in a spicy Arrabbiata sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses with a green onion garnish. You’ll also find lasagna with meat sauce, calzones, deep fried jalapeno raviolis, and pasta dishes like penne primavera made with locally grown vegetables and ingredients. So, basically anything you order from this casual yet amazing Italian paradise will always be spot on. Giuliano’s Trattoria
  6060 Magnolia Ave
(951) 788-2222
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp with 99 reviews

2.     An Oasis Where Healthful Lifestyles Don’t Have To Be A Chore

A steak burger. Loaded taquitos. Chicken nuggets. Steak burritos… do these sound like the kinds of things that a vegan would order? Well, they can be if that vegan is eating at Oasis Vegetarian Café. Sticking to your meal plan never has to feel like hard work when you eat here because you only have one job: enjoying some delicious and flavorful healthy food that matters. So put down that boring, old salad and get yourself to Oasis where the most difficult part is deciding what you want to dive into. Oasis Vegetarian Café
11550 Pierce St
(951) 688-5423
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 163 reviews

3.     Schwarma Your Way Through Lunch At Elias Pita

There is perhaps no greater invention in the world than there is with pita bread. It’s bread with a pocket. How could anyone ever go wrong? But, if it’s not what you’re in the mood for tonight, Elias Pita still has a huge Mediterranean from which you can choose. Order up the hummus to go along with the bread if you get it, and make sure not to miss out on the stuffed grape leaves, falafel, and any of the superb shawarma plates. They also have some of the best baklava around for dozens of miles. Elias Pita

1490 University Ave
(951) 686-6800
Yelp: 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp with 144 reviews

4.     Simon Says Keep It Simple

The only thing simple about Simple Simon’s Bakery and Bistro is the ease of ordering. The food itself is more like an explosion of awesome. Stop by for lunch and grab yourself one of the many delicious sandwiches on your choice of prefect breads. Get a grilled chicken breast sandwich with pesto on sourdough or a tuna melt on a croissant – whatever you’re in the mood for. Get the pasta salad or cole slaw on the side to round it off. You can also stop in for breakfast or brunch, too, where you’ll be more than happy just by ordering a huge plate of their fried potatoes. Simple Simon’s Bakery and Bistro
4155 Park Ave
(951) 787-6937
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp with 452 reviews

5.     Make Your Great Sushi Escape At Asahi

All you can eat sushi for twenty bucks? Yep. You read that right. But that’s not the only surprise that Sushi Asahi has up its sleeve. When you’re looking for the best sushi in town, this is always the place you’ll want to go. The food is immaculate, from the freshness and flavor down to the way that it’s plated. For the best and most unique rolls on the menu, try the Luv Luv, the Stuffed Tomato, and The Diablo.  Make sure to come here on weekdays so that you can also try their green tea ice cream. It’s not available on the weekends and you’ll beat the bulk of the crowds. Sushi Asahi
2955 Van Buren Blvd
(951) 637-1313
Yelp: 4 stars, 1461 reviews

6.  Go Full Brazilian At Gol Brazilian

Gol Brazilian is a great place to go in Riverside if you like meat and want to mix up your meals for the week. You’ll be able to find a variety of foods that you can’t find anywhere else in town. And, of course, in classic Brazilian style, everybody’s favorite: Meat on a stick. Whether you’re ordering chicken, pork, or beef, you’ll be amazed at how tender every bite is as it literally melts in your mouth. The soups, stews, and rices are all cooked and seasoned well, bringing your meal together with just enough kick. And be sure to try the Brigadeiro cups for dessert to round off this unique meal. Gol Brazilian Restaurant
10436 Magnolia Ave
(951) 687-8000
Yelp: 4 stars, 123 reviews

7.  Where Asian Food Meets Cajun-Creole

If you’re already excited for your trip to Rockstar Shrimp, you should be. The ridiculous amount of flavor you’re in store for is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. This fusion restaurant takes all of the bests from Asian and Cajun-Creole and marries them together for the perfect hybrid of awesome. There are no shortage of awesome things to order here, but as their name states, the shrimp really is the rockstar here. You can order it up a pound a time, or get a combo bag filled with shrimp, mussels, and clams. And it’s only $11. So, when you find yourself craving a little NoLA but also a little spice, Rockstar Shrimp is the place to go. Rockstar Shrimp
767 W Blaine St
(951) 530-8620
Yelp: 4 stars, 139 reviews

8.  Pizza That Goes Down In A Blaze Of Glory

There are a ton of pizza places to pick from in the greater Riverside area. You might be tempted to pass by Blaze if you happen to see that they have a long line. Don’t do it. That line is long for a reason. And that reason is because their pizza is seriously awesome and everybody knows it. The crust is extra crispy and the ingredients are fresh, which really stands out among the chain take-out places. And they’re super-fast, too. Their pies are made to order to ensure extra deliciousness, but they only take 180 seconds to bake. So, get in line. You’ll be sorry if you don’t. Blaze Pizza
3540 Riverside Plaza Dr
(951) 367-0186
Yelp: 4 stars, 90 reviews

9.  Perk Up At The Daily Brew

Great coffee, hot and cold lattes in mason jars, frothy frappucinos, friendly service, non-pretentious baristas, crazy-comfy couches, fun décor, and a slew of awesome food and pastries. This is why The Daily Brew is the tops when it comes to coffee houses in Riverside. During the fall, you definitely don’t want to miss out on their pumpkin-spiced everything. Adding to their appeal, they also have a cool book exchange for book lovers as well as free wifi. And who doesn’t love a coffeehouse with free wifi? The Daily Brew Coffee Bar
2955 Van Buren Blvd
(951) 352-7477
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 95 stars

10.    Go Where The Burgers Are Always Boss

If you like burgers but hate how artificial fast food tastes and how terrible it makes you feel, Burger Boss is the answer to your patty-loving prayers. These are real burgers, the way you pretend you could make them if you had the time and perhaps the talent to pull it off. They’re big and juicy, always made with fresh ingredients. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, they offer a black bean burger to suit your tastes. And if you love burgers but can’t handle all the carbs, order their burger bowl, which is a huge bowl of everything that makes a burger amazing, just without the bun. Burger Boss
2585 Canyon Springs Pkwy
(951) 656-6500
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 345 reviews

11.     An Indian Meal Like Naan Other

Lunch buffets (or any buffets for that matter) can be extremely hit or miss. But rest assured that the lunch buffet at Punjab Palace is always a hit. The garlic naan that your server will bring you is almost worth the trip in and of itself, it’s that good. When you’ve finally made your way to the buffet, there will be a lot of amazing things in front of you, so you’re going to have to stay focused. Just remember that for your first time here, you have one mission and that is the chicken tikka masala. You won’t regret it. Punjab Palace
1766 University Ave
(951) 686-9968
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 223 reviews

12.    Get Much More Than Your Just Desserts At Sweet Epies

You don’t have to come to Sweet Epies for the sweet stuff alone. Here you’ll find delicious sandwiches and soups, as well. Try their popular chicken salad sandwich with a side of the creamy chicken tortilla soup for the perfect lunch. Then feel free to dive into the sea of pies and baked goods that are so good, you will undoubtedly be taking some home with you. The mini pies are called cuties and give you just the right amount of pie for a serving. But trust me, you’ll finish everything you order from Sweet Epies. Sweet Epies
3540 9th St
(951) 781-6778
Yelp: 5 stars, 35 reviews

13.     A Meal Nouveau At The Salted Pig

When you come to The Salted Pig gastropub, you’ll be greeted with course after course of amazing food. Upscale takes on a side of amazing comfort will have you oinking for more. Pretty much everything that you order here is sure to please, but you absolutely can’t leave here without trying a side of the dirty fries. Extra tip: get the beer cheese on the side for dipping and extra deliciousness. Order a rib eye for your main course with a side of roasted Brussel sprouts and then end your meal with an unbelievable treat of candied bacon ice cream. Prepare to have your mind blown and to loosen your belt a little after leaving. The Salted Pig
3700 12th St
(951) 848-4020
Yelp: 4 out of 5 stars on Yelp with 1055 reviews

14.  Go For The Greek Street Grill

Perfectly crisped calamari to start. A lamb chop dinner plate for your meal. And spicy feta fries on the side. This is just one way to combine the Greek meal of your dreams at Greek Street Grill. The options are seriously endless. You can also choose from a variety of kebabs, salads, falafels, and pitas. And the Greek Street Burger is a popular choice, with delicious beef topped off with creamy tahini. The service here is fast and super friendly, making it a great place to stop whether you’re looking to sit down and eat or if you’re on the go. Greek Street Grill
3312 La Sierra Ave
(951) 352-0801
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 237 reviews

15.  Inner Peace On Your Plate At Zen Street

This Thai restaurant will be the only Thai you’ll want to keep coming back to once you try it. You’ll find everything from spicy miso and water pork with garlic fried rice to spicy shrimp tempura over fluffy beds of rice and crispy tofu. Oh, and did I mention all of the ramen? Seriously, so much ramen. And this isn’t the ramen of your college dorm days. This ramen is the real deal, done the way it’s supposed to be. You can order it in original style or in a variety of unique flavors like Drunken Ramen. Whatever you decide on, you will undoubtedly be glad you came. You might even feel your chakras re-aligning. Zen Street
3600 Central Ave
(951) 683-3648
Yelp: 4 stars, 82 reviews What’s your go-to for great grub in Riverside? Tell us in the comments below!